Town Hall · Wakarusa

Wakarusa, KS town hall & government

Wakarusa spent $1.8 million in the year to December 31, 2022, about $806 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Wakarusa's government.

Town budget

Where Wakarusa's money goes

Spent
$1.8 million
fiscal year to December 31, 2022
Per resident
$806
typical Kansas towns: $107
Long-term debt
None
none outstanding at year end
Roads & transportation
$1.7 million94%
Administration & buildings
$53,0003%
Fire
$43,0002%
Paid to other governments
$6,000<1%

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 92%
  • Interest, fines & other 5%
  • Fees & charges 3%
  • From other local governments <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Wakarusa

Full-time staff
3
3 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$48,400
a year, before benefits
Roads & transportation
3 full-time
Administration & buildings
0 full-time3 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Lawrence Unified School District 497

Wakarusa's K–12 school district, shared with Grant, Lawrence, Clinton and Willow Springs. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$12,393
Kansas: $14,966
Students
10,594
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$77.2 million
at year end

Where the district's money comes from Kansas districts overall: 28% local, 61% state, 11% federal

  • Local 37%
  • State 54%
  • Federal 9%

Of the $12,393 per pupil, $6,783 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.

Also serving Wakarusa: Perry Public Schools Unified School District 343 ($14,678 per pupil) · Baldwin City Unified School District 348 ($11,610 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in Wakarusa pay

Typical tax bill
$4,326
a year · Kansas typical $2,798
Effective rate
1.13%
of home value · Kansas 1.29%
Typical home value
$384,200
owner-occupied

The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.

Local

Contact Wakarusa's government

Town hall & decisions in Wakarusa →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Wakarusa

Wakarusa is represented in Congress by Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Representatives Derek Schmidt and Tracey Mann. Laura Kelly is governor.

All of Wakarusa's representatives, with contacts →

Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.

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Wakarusa

Kansas · KS · Douglas County
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